As of June 26, 2015, marriage equality is the law of the land in the United States of America!

I'm delighted that any two people who love each other are now free to marry anywhere in the United States. This page used to be devoted to all of the intricacies involved with what it means to get legally married in New York State but living/traveling to other states. Fortunately, that long, convulted list of questions and answers is no longer necessary to include here because it's as simple as it ought to be: all people, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation, now have the legal right to marry anywhere within the United States. As it should be.

JUNE 2011 - Shortly after the Marriage Equality Law was passed in New York State,Ven. Lawrence performed a day of free same-sex weddings. Below is an interview with him on that day:

As an openly gay Buddhist monk and New York State licensed Wedding officiant, I'm delighted that marriage equality is now a reality for all of us here in the United States! Whether you're a native New Yorker or someone who has dreamed of having your wedding in New York City, that opportunity is now yours. And your marriage and all of it's benefits will be legally recognized in your home state.

"No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family. In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were. As some of the petitioners in these cases demonstrate, marriage embodies a love that may endure even past death. It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right."

If you would like more information about my wedding services, please call me at 212-989-3456 or email.